What Causes Low Blood Sugar In a Non-diabetic: Research-Based Analysis
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 22, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 22, 2024Table of Contents
Low blood sugar can be a problem even if an individual is not a diabetic patient. This article offers a detailed glance at the potential causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and management options of this condition. We’ll also delve into its complications and how to avoid them. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
In simple terms, hypoglycaemia is when your blood sugar level dips below normal. Sugar, or glucose, fuels our bodies. When the fuel gauge hits ‘low’, it spells trouble. The effects can be slight to severe and may even threaten your life in some cases.
Knowing your blood sugar range is key for spotting hypoglycaemia. When blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL or 3.9 mmol/L, it’s often labeled as hypoglycaemia. Remember though, these numbers aren’t set in stone for everyone. Make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.
Hypoglycaemia can be split broadly into two groupings which are reactive and nonreactive. There’s another type called dumping syndrome. These are discussed below.
Reactive hypoglycaemia happens a few hours after you eat. The reason is an insulin surge. This is often a red flag for early-stage diabetes.
Also known as fasting hypoglycaemia, it isn’t tied to your meals. It could be due to an underlying illness. Some other triggers could be medications, alcohol, or a hormone imbalance.
This happens due to surgeries disrupting your stomach’s regular functions. You can get this from gastric bypass surgery or GERD surgery. It causes sudden changes in blood sugar after loading up on carbohydrates.
In my opinion, regular meal consumption may help you avoid blood sugar dips at night. Eating may be especially beneficial when consuming alcohol. Eat something before going to bed if you believe you might experience low blood sugar during the night.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
As we’ve mentioned before, even non-diabetics can face bouts of low blood sugar. Below we will discuss why this happens. We’ll also discuss how blood sugar regulation plays out within the body.
Controlling blood sugar isn’t a linear task. It’s complex, involving various hormones, body parts, and systems. At its heart lie two crucial hormones which are insulin and glucagon.
Insulin, made by the pancreas, enables glucose to enter cells for energy. In contrast, glucagon is released when blood sugar falls. It prompts the liver to break down stored glycogen and release glucose into the bloodstream. A disruption in the making of these hormones or their workings can lead to hypoglycaemia.
Causes of low blood sugar in non-diabetics are as follows.
Fasting hypoglycaemia happens when blood sugar falls in non-eating periods. This includes sleep or long breaks between meals. Often, this type is linked to an existing health issue. It could also be triggered by heavy drinking or certain drugs, some of which are described below.
Some medications can trigger hypoglycaemia in non-diabetics. These are as follows.
Alcohol can interfere with blood sugar control. It does so by hampering the liver’s work to release glucose. This can lead to hypoglycaemia.
Serious infections, liver issues like hepatitis or cirrhosis, kidney problems, and advanced heart disease can affect blood sugar control. This could cause hypoglycaemia.
Certain hormonal imbalances, such as issues with the adrenal or pituitary gland, can cause low blood sugar. These hormones help control glucose production or metabolism.
Insulin-producing tumours (insulinomas) though rare can cause hypoglycaemia. They are located in the pancreas and cause a lot of insulin to be released, leading to hypoglycaemia. Other tumours too can produce substances that act like insulin, which results in low blood sugar.
The causes are listed below.
Gastric surgery like bypass surgery or surgery for GERD can cause reactive hypoglycaemia. This is due to quick changes in blood sugar levels post meals loaded with carbohydrates. Also, separately known as dumping syndrome.
Reactive hypoglycaemia can warn about pre-diabetes. This is when blood sugar levels rise, though not enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
At times, very rare health issues that affect hormone production can cause reactive hypoglycaemia. Also, any issues with storing and releasing glucose can cause this problem.
In my experience, you might need to check your blood sugar multiple times a day for several days if you doctor thinks you may have low blood sugar. Further testing, such as imaging studies to establish if a tumour is the source of the low blood sugar episodes, will be necessary to identify the underlying cause of the hypoglycemia.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Low blood sugar symptoms in non-diabetics can show up in physical and cognitive ways. It’s important to know what these symptoms are so you can act fast.
The physical signs that show up when a non-diabetic has low blood sugar are as follows.
These signs usually show up first and can range from mild to medium in intensity.
Low blood sugar can also affect the brain, resulting in the following.
These cognitive issues can worsen if blood sugar keeps dropping. This can even lead to fainting, seizures, or coma.
This is when you have no idea your blood sugar level has dropped too low. The early warning signs like shakiness, hunger, or sweating don’t show up. This unawareness increases the odds of hypoglycaemia, as people don’t realize their blood sugar levels are dangerously low and fail to get treated in time.
Several factors increase the risk of hypoglycaemia unawareness. These are as follows.
People with hypoglycaemia unawareness must be under the careful watch of healthcare professionals. They may also need to adjust their management plans to lessen the risk of serious hypoglycaemia episodes.
Diagnosing and managing low blood sugar accurately is vital for optimal health and avoiding future problems. Now, let’s discuss the ways to diagnose and manage hypoglycaemia in non-diabetics.
To spot hypoglycaemia, healthcare professionals first check the person’s medical history, current symptoms, and any risk factors. They may also carry out blood sugar tests to figure out the severity of the issue. In some cases, special diagnostic tests may be needed to identify the root cause of hypoglycaemia. This includes hormonal assays, imaging studies, or genetic testing.
Blood sugar tests are a simple, non-invasive way to gauge blood glucose levels. Regular checks can help catch and properly manage hypoglycaemia.
Medical history evaluation
When making sense of your medical history, healthcare providers seek clues that will help uncover the cause of an individual’s low blood sugar which are as follows.
Depending on the cause of a person’s hypoglycaemia, extra diagnostic tests may be suggested to confirm the diagnosis. These tests are as follows.
The aim of managing hypoglycaemia is to get blood sugar levels back to normal immediately, and then deal with any root causes or factors to avoid future episodes.
First-hand steps needed to be taken for hypoglycaemia are as follows.
Along with immediate management to boost blood sugar levels, long-term management methods may be needed to tackle the root causes of hypoglycaemia and reduce the risk of future episodes. This might mean:
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If unchecked, low blood sugar can lead to short-term and long-term problems. It’s important to be aware of these complications and seek quick treatment if needed.
If hypoglycaemia goes untreated, symptoms can worsen, leading to severe problems which are as follows.
The long-term effects of low blood sugar are as follows.
There are several ways that non-diabetic individuals may try to avoid low blood sugar swings and protect their overall health.
Here are some steps that may help.
In conclusion, low blood sugar in non-diabetics is an important yet often overlooked health concern. While hypoglycaemia is typically associated with diabetes, it can affect individuals without diabetes due to various factors such as medications, lifestyle choices, and underlying medical conditions. It is crucial to be aware of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management options for low blood sugar to avoid complications and ensure overall well-being. Remember, proper awareness, timely diagnosis, and appropriate management are vital.
Sure, you can. Although it’s less common. The culprits could include certain medications, lifestyle factors, and certain medical conditions.
People may experience tremors, sweating, feeling hungry, dizzy, and confused. They can have rapid palpitations and trouble focusing as well.
Healthcare professionals use a combination of medical history checks, symptom assessments, blood sugar tests, and specialized diagnostic tests (if needed) to make the diagnosis.
Sometimes, yes. Low blood sugar in non-diabetics can be an early warning sign of pre- diabetes, or it might indicate the presence of insulin-producing tumours.
To avoid low blood sugar if you’re not a diabetic, eat balanced meals and snacks, monitor sugar and carbohydrate intake, drink alcohol in moderation, and keep up regular exercise, and a healthy weight.
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